Miniature rotating rectifier assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular rotating rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited, liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of the generator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system for transferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowing therethrough. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned inside the shaft in close proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through the shaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diode components of the rotating rectifier assembly.

This is a continuation of application(s) Ser. No. 07/913,228 filed onJul. 14, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,272.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to rotating rectifier assemblies for usein dynamo electric devices.

Dynamo electric devices such as self-excited, brushless AC generatorstypically utilize a rotating rectifier assembly to rectify the output ofan exciter rotor and to feed the resulting DC power to a main generatorrotor. Rectifier diodes enclosed in a DO-5 or DO-4 case have beentraditionally used in such rotating rectifier assemblies with varyingdegrees of success.

The self-exciting brushless generators typically include threegenerators placed in tandem along a common rotating shaft. These threegenerators are retained within a common generator housing. When themachine is cooled by oil conduction, a portion of the interior of thehousing is retained in a dry air-filled or gas-filled state surroundingthe main field, exciter field and the PMG field. Remaining portions ofthe housing and generator assembly are cooled by means of a fluidcoolant circulation system.

A problem arises with the rectifier assemblies since they areconstructed of semi-conductor material and therefore create a weak linkin the generator system. The reason for the diodes being a weak link isthat they undergo severe mechanical and thermal stresses during theoperation of the generator. The parameters of the stresses are verydifficult to overcome with known semi-conductor materials. While avariety of configurations and orientations of DO-5 and DO-4 type diodeshave been employed, many of the thermal and mechanical problems persist.One type of generator has even used surface mounted devices (SMD) in anattempt to overcome such problems. However, due to the characteristicsof the semi-conductor material used in the SMDs, the problems stillpersist.

With regard to the mechanical and thermal forces acting on the rectifierassembly, such forces are developed due to the nature of the operatingconditions of the generator. For example, since the rectifier assemblyis generally mounted close to the rotating shaft about which the rotorsare positioned, the rectifier assembly, rotating with the rotatingshaft, encounters severe centrifugal forces. The thermal conditions alsoplace stresses on the materials of the diode which push the limits ofthe performance parameters of the semi-conductor material.

FIG. 2 provides a hybrid view of two prior art rectifier assemblyconfigurations. A generator 20 is shown in FIG. 2 which has a rotatingshaft 22 with a central axis 24 extending therethrough. A paralleloriented rectifier assembly is shown in the lower portion of the figure.In the parallel oriented rectifier assembly, the diodes 28 are orientedwith a minor axis parallel to the central axis 24. The parallel orientedrectifier assemblies experience a substantial degree of centrifugalforce due to the distance between the diode and the central axis. Inextremely high speed generators, ordinary diodes are unable withstandthe high centrifugal forces resulting in such a generator.

One attempt to overcome the problem of the high centrifugal forces, wasto mount the diodes perpendicular to the central axis, therebycompressing the diode material and preventing structural fatigue due tohigh centrifugal forces. While a degree of success was achieved bycompressing the diode material, a substantial amount of space wasutilized in the perpendicular orientation.

Another problem encountered with the prior art rectifier assemblies asshown in FIG. 2, is that they are positioned in the air or gas enclosedspace in which the fields operate, when used in a "conduction" cooledgenerator. As a result, these rectifier assemblies are exposed to hightemperatures and are unable to benefit from the fluid coolant systemutilized in other areas of the generator system.

While such assemblies may be acceptable for use in generators whichrotate at relatively-low speeds and have sufficient space available forthe required mounting of electrical connections, these assemblies becomea weak link in a generator which rotates at a relatively high speed. Forexample, a state-of-the-art generator, which may be used for aircraft,may rotate at speeds exceeding 30,000 rpm to meet the load requirementsof the specific application.

More specifically, generators utilized in aircraft or other hightechnology dependent vehicles require very high power densitygenerators. As a result, one of the most critical factors to achieving ahigh power density is to provide a high rotational speed. Highrotational speed reduces the overall size of the generator. Twoparticular parameters which limit the rotational speed are the windage,a power loss caused by air friction on rotating bodies and centrifugalloading, a force incurred by a rotating body.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improvedrotating rectifier assembly for use with a dynamo electric device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatingrectifier assembly which minimizes the space used by the rotatingrectifier assembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a rotatingrectifier assembly which improves the heat transfer away from theassembly.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a rotatingrectifier assembly which minimizes the effect of centrifugal forcescreated by the generator on the diode components of the rectifierassembly.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a rotatingrectifier assembly which is modular and therefore provides improved easeof installation and repair.

Briefly and in accordance with the foregoing, the present inventioncomprises a rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited,liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotatingrectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of thegenerator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system fortransferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowingtherethrough. The rotating rectifiers are positioned inside the shaft inclose proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through theshaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diodecomponents of the rotating rectifier assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of theinvention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may beunderstood by reference to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identifylike elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic electrical schematic of the dynamo electricdevice, including a diode assembly used in the rotating rectifierassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a hybrid partial fragmentary cross-sectional side elevationalview of a dynamo electric device or generator illustrating two differentconfigurations of prior art rotating rectifier assemblies;

FIG. 3 is a partial fragmentary cross-sectional side elevational view ofa dynamo electric device or generator showing a rotating rectifierassembly of the present invention employed therein;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial fragmentary cross-sectional sideelevational view of the rotating rectifier assembly of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is partial fragmentary cross sectional end view of the rotatingrectifier assembly taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4 in which the rotatingrectifier assembly is installed in a rotating shaft;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating rectifier assemblytaken along line 6--6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating rectifier assembly ofthe present invention taken along line 7--7 in FIG.4; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating rectifier assembly ofthe present invention taken along line 8--8 as shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms,there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail,an embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is tobe considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention andis not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated anddescribed herein.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by thesame reference numerals throughout the figures, a schematic rotatingrectifier assembly 40 in accordance with the present invention is shownin FIG. 1. In discussing FIG. 1 reference is also made to FIG. 3. Therotating rectifier assembly 40 is a component of a three-in-onebrushless generator shown generally by reference number 42. Thegenerator 42 generates alternating current (AC) but is also capable ofgenerating direct current (DC) when the output from the generator is ledthrough a stationary full-wave rectifier assembly as provided in therotating rectifiers assembly 40.

Initially, the generator 42 is rotated by a prime mover to beginelectrical power generation at the permanent magnet generator (PMG) 44.The field of the PMG 44 is permanently set up by the permanentlymagnetized rotor 46. The lines of flux emanating from the PMG rotor 46intersect the conductors in the PMG armature 52 to generate athree-phase AC power.

A voltage regulator 48 in the form of a generally available component ofknown design is employed to rectify the three-phase AC power generatedby the PMG 44 to produce DC and meter it back to an exciter field 50according to the voltage sensed at the terminals of a main armature 68.A negative feedback loop is thus created to ensure that the generatorvoltage is maintained within a certain band regardless of the generatorspeed and loading.

The exciter 50 achieves brushless excitation of a main field 54. Themagnetic field 56 of the exciter 50 is stationary and is erected bypowering its windings electrically from the PMG 44 via the voltageregulator 48. The three-phase AC exciter armature 58 is attached to arotating shaft 60 of the generator 42.

Because the main field 54 of the generator requires DC to excite it, adiode assembly 62 is provided in close proximity to the exciter armature58 to rectify the output of the exciter armature 58 and deliver theoutput to the main field 54. Although a full wave connection is depictedin FIG. 1, it should also be understood that the arrangement would workto a certain extent with a half wave configuration.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a shunting resistor 64 is connectedacross the diodes 55 of the diode assembly 62 to protect the diodes fromvoltage spikes produced when the highly inductive main field 54 issuddenly de-energized. Another function of the shunting resistor 64 isto shorten the inductance/resistance time constant of the field duringover voltage transient conditions.

Power used by the loads on the generator is generated by the maingenerator 66. In a similar fashion to the exciter 50, the magnetic field54 is erected and intersects the conductors in a main armature 68. Themain armature 68 is shown in FIG. 1 as a wye-connected three-phase ACdevice. It should however be understood that the main armature 68 canalso be wound with other combinations of phases, phase groups and canalso be rectified with stationary diodes for a DC output.

As noted above in the Background of the Invention, FIG. 2 provides apartial fragmentary cross-sectional side elevational view of a prior artgenerator. It should be noted that the generator as shown in FIG. 2 is acomposite showing two diode assembly configurations. The lower portion26 shown below the center line 24 shows a diode 28 arranged in anorientation parallel to the central axis 24. The diode configuration 30shown in the portion of the prior art generator 20 above the center line24 employs diodes 28 in an orientation perpendicular to the central axis24. In the perpendicular orientation, the material of the diode isplaced in a compressive state by the rotational forces exerted upon thediode 28 when the shaft 32 to which the diode is attached is rotated.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a partial fragmentary cross-sectional sideelevational view of a high speed, high power density, self-excited,conduction oil cooled dynamo electric device or generator 70 is shown.The general internal component layout of the generator 70 is similar tothe prior art generator 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The layout of thecomponents of the generator 70 are generally more elongated and closerto the rotating shaft 60 than as shown in FIG. 2. By elongating and moreclosely positioning the components, the windage loss effects areminimized as well as the centrifugal forces. The windage losses increaseexponentially with an increase in diameter. In contrast, the windageloss is only increased linearly with an increase in length. As such, theelongated configuration substantially reduces the windage losses.

As shown in FIG. 3, the generator 70 has a generator housing 72 which issealed at a drive end 74 and at an anti-drive end 76. The sealed housing72 provides a sealed interior cavity 78 in which a main armature 80,main field 54, exciter field 56, exciter armature 58, PMG armature 52and PMG field 46 operate. The above-noted components operate in theinternal cavity 78 which is maintained in a fluid free or dry statefilled only with air or gas. The shaft 60 is supported at the drive end74 by drive end bearing 82 and is supported at the anti-drive end 76 onanti-drive end bearing 84. Support of the shaft 60 on the bearings 82and 84 allows the shaft to rotate at a high speed within a sealedcondition in the generator housing 72.

A main dynamo unit 86 includes the main armature 80 and the main field54. An exciter dynamo unit 88 includes the exciter field 56 and theexciter armature 58. A PMG dynamo unit 90 includes the PMG armature 52and the PMG field 46. The main dynamo 86, exciter dynamo 88, and PMGdynamo 90 are positioned around the rotating shaft for producing thepower requirements in a brushless manner for a given load.

The shaft 60 is symmetrically formed about a central axis of rotation92. The diode assembly 62 mates with a receptacle assembly 94 andcomprises the rotating rectifier assembly 96. The receptacle assembly 94is attached to an inside surface 98 of the shaft 60 by means offasteners or other means of attachment (attachment not shown) andmateably retains the diode assembly 62 in engagement therewith.

Means for circulating coolant (generally indicated by reference number100) includes a fluid entry conduit 102 which is formed in the housing72 and delivers coolant to the generator 70. The fluid entry conduit 102passes through the outer periphery of the housing 72 from the drive end74 towards the anti-drive end 76. A primary port 104 in the housing 72connects the fluid entry conduit 102 with a transfer tube 106concentrically positioned along the center line 92 inside the rotatingshaft 60. As will be described further hereinbelow, the rotatingrectifier assembly 96 communicates with the transfer tube 106 such thatfluid passing through the transfer tube passes through the rotatingrectifier assembly.

A transport tube 108 is concentrically positioned along the central axis92 inside the shaft 60 in similar manner to the transfer tube 106. Thetransport tube 108 receives fluid passing through the rotating rectifierassembly 96 and transports it towards the drive end 74 of the shaft 60.At a terminal end 110 of the transport tube 108, the coolant passes intoa helical passage 112 in communication with the transport tube 108. Thehelical passage 112 is formed between an outer surface 114 of thetransport tube 108 and an inside surface 98 of the rotating shaft 60.

Coolant is helically transported back toward the rotating rectifierassembly 96 and then flows through gaps 116 (better shown in FIG. 5)formed between flat planar surfaces 118 on the outside of the rotatingrectifier assembly and the inside surface 98 of the rotating shaft 60.The coolant passing the outside surfaces 118 of the rotating rectifierassembly 96 flows into a void 119 formed between an outside surface 120of the transfer tube 106 and the inside surface 98 of the rotating shaft60. The void 119 communicates with a fluid removal conduit 122 whichtravels helically around the perimeter of the housing 72 in order toremove heat from the components retained within the housing 72.

It should be noted that the coolant passing from the void 119 to thefluid removal conduit 122 passes over the anti-drive bearing 84 tolubricate the bearing and is subsequently drained through a drainconduit 124 which communicates with a down stream side 126 of theanti-drive bearing 84 and the fluid removal conduit 122. The circulatingcoolant is prevented from entering dry interior cavity 78 by rotatingseal 79. To discuss the rotating rectifier assembly 96 as shown in FIG.3 in greater detail, reference is made to the enlarged detailed viewsare shown in FIGS. 4-8. With regard to FIG. 4, the rotating rectifierassembly 96 is shown in partial fragmentary cross-sectional sideelevational view. The rotating rectifier assembly 96 includes the diodeassembly 62 and the receptacle assembly 94. The diode assembly 62 has ahousing 128 in which diodes 130 are stud mounted generally parallel tothe central axis 92. The housing has an outside dimension 132 which isslightly less than an inside diameter 134 of the rotating shaft 60. Afirst end 136 of the housing 128 has an entry port 138 formed therein.The entry port 138 communicates with the transfer tube 106 to allowcoolant to flow into the diode assembly 62 of the rotating rectifierassembly 96. The housing 128 defines a first passage 140 therein andextending therethrough. The first passage 140 communicates with theentry port 138 and allows the coolant to pass around the diodes 130.

The diodes 130 are mounted to conductive busses 142 having passages 144passing therethrough to allow coolant to pass through the busses 142.Coolant passing through the passages 144 enters a second passage 146which communicates with an exit port 148. The exit port 148 mates withtransfer tube 149 which extends through the receptacle portion 94 andmateably communicates with the transport tube 108.

As discussed hereinabove, coolant travels through the transfer tube 106into the rectifier assembly 96 through an entry port 138 into the firstpassage 140 and through the passages 144. After passing through thepassages 144 and into a second passage 146, the coolant flows throughthe exit port 148 and into the transport port 108. Fluid returns throughthe helical passage 112 as shown in FIG. 3 and passes through the gap116 defined between the inside surface 98 of the rotating shaft 60 andan outside surface 118 of the rotating rectifier assembly 96.

With reference to FIG. 5, it should be noted that the cross-sectionalarea of the entry port 138 is substantially equal to the summedcross-sectional area of the gaps 116. Additionally, with reference toFIG. 3, as the fluid flows through the center of the rotating rectifierassembly 96, the coolant has absorbed very little heat from thegenerator 70 and therefore may maximize the amount of heat transferredand removed from the rotating rectifier assembly 96. As the returningcoolant passes through the gaps 116 over the outside of the rotatingrectifier assembly 96, the coolant has not attained its maximum heatcarrying capacity and therefore further reduces the temperature of therotating rectifier assembly 96.

In further reference to the electrical structure and function of therotating rectifier assembly 96, the diode portion 62 includes six diodes130 in stud-mounted DO-4 cases which are used to full-wave rectify thethree-phase AC output of the exciter armature 58 into the DC powerrequired by the main field 54. If it becomes necessary to rectify ahigher level of power, the DO-4 shown diodes may be replaced with DO-5cased devices which are more current-capable, with a correspondingincrease in dimensions. Alternatively, diode assemblies may be cascadedfor greater power rating. The six diodes 130 are divided into two groupsof three positively oriented devices 150 and three negatively orienteddevices 152. The three positive diodes 150 are mounted on a positive DCbus 154 while the three negative oriented diodes 152 are mounted on anegative DC bus 156. (See FIG. 8).

Two of each of the three diodes in each group 150, 152 are retained onthe respective busses 154, 156 with ordinary nut-type fasteners 158. Thecentral diode 160, 162 of each group 150, 152 is retained on therespective bus 154, 156 by a conductive customized nut 164 which servesas a contact of the diode assembly 62 which engages a correspondingmating contact 166 of the receptacle portion 94. (See FIG. 7).

The respective busses 154, 156 are physically and electrically separatedfrom each other by a key insulator 168 which may be machined or moldedfrom suitable material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or apolyimide such as commonly available under the tradenames of "TORLON" or"VESPEL". FIGS. 7 and 8 provide further illustration of the passages 144passing through the respective busses 154, 156 as described in greaterdetail hereinabove.

The distribution of the passages 144 through the busses 154, 156 assuresthat the coolant will be generally evenly diffused around the diodes 130of the assembly thereby providing efficient and even heat transport awayfrom these components.

With further reference to FIG. 4, the receptacle portion 94 is mountedinside the shaft 60. The sockets or contacts 166 provide a conductivepath from the diodes 130 to field leads 170 which are attached to thefield by suitable means of attachment such as crimping, brazing, orsoldering.

The rotating rectifier assembly 96 as shown in the Figures and describedhereinabove minimizes the space utilized by the rectifier assembly 96 bypositioning the assembly within the hollow shaft 60 thereby utilizingspace which is otherwise unoccupied. Another purpose for positioning therotating rectifier assembly 96 inside the shaft 60 is to reduce of theaffect of the centrifugal forces on the diodes 130 of the diode assembly62. In fact, the extremely close proximity of the diodes 130 relative tothe central axis 92 makes the diodes 130 almost immune to the effects ofthe centrifugal forces produced when the shaft 60 is rotated atextremely high rpm.

The position of the rotating rectifier assembly 96 inside the shaft alsoprovides highly efficient heat transport away from the rectifierassembly 96. The entire coolant flow through the generator 70 passesthrough the rotating rectifier assembly 96 and then over the outside ofthe rotating rectifier assembly 96 removing heat therefrom. The coolantflow passes through the rotating rectifier assembly 96 prior toaccumulating heat from the generator 70 and therefore maximizes the heatremoval therefrom and exposes the semiconductor devices to the coolesttemperatures in the generator.

Additionally, the compact modular design of the receptacle portion 94and the diode assembly 62 of the rotating rectifier assembly 96 allowsfor easy initial assembly and improved ease in repairing or replacingthe diode assembly of the rotating rectifier assembly.

In use, a rotating rectifier assembly 96 in accordance with thedescription, claims and illustrations provided herein is positionedinside a rotating shaft 60 of a generator 70. The rotating rectifierassembly 96 is in communication with means for circulating coolant 100in accordance with the details provided hereinabove. The rotatingrectifier assembly 96 is installed in the rotating shaft 60 of thegenerator 70 by positioning a transport tube 108 and helical passage 112inside the rotating shaft 60 and mounting a receptacle portion 94 of therotating rectifier assembly 96 in communication therewith. Once thereceptacle portion 94 is mounted inside the shaft 60, the diode assembly62 is positioned inside the shaft 60 and engaged with the receptacleportion 94. Next, a transfer tube 106 is engaged with an entry port 138of the rotating rectifier assembly 96. An anti-drive end cap 176 isattached so that a coolant entry conduit 102 formed therein communicateswith the transfer tube 106.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devisevarious modifications of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the appended claims. The invention is notintended to be limited by the foregoing disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A rectifier assembly in combination with abrushless, self-excited, cooled, dynamo electric device, said dynamoelectric device being of the type having a main dynamo unit with arotating DC field producing structure associated with a hollow shaft,said unit being energized by an exciter dynamo unit having a rotorassociated with said hollow shaft and producing AC, said shaft having acentral axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and means forcirculating coolant operatively associated with said dynamo electricdevice;said rectifier assembly being disposed in said hollow shaftcomprising:a receptacle portion being retained inside said hollow shaft,said receptacle portion being electrically coupled to said dynamoelectric device; a diode assembly being disposed in said hollow shaftand matable with said receptacle portion for electrically coupling saiddiode assembly to said dynamo electric device for rectifying AC to DC toprovide current to said DC field producing structure; an entry portformed through one end of said diode assembly; an exit port formedthrough an end of said receptacle portion distal said entry port; apassage extending though said diode assembly and said receptacleportion, said passage communicating with said entry port and said exitport, said means for circulating coolant communicating with said entryport for providing coolant to said diode assembly and said receptacleportion; at least two reduced dimension surfaces being defined onoutside surfaces of said diode assembly and said receptacle portionhaving a dimension which is less than an inside surface of said hollowshaft, said reduced dimension surfaces being generally equidistantlyspaced apart on said outside surfaces of said diode assembly andreceptacle portion; and a gap being defined between each of said reduceddimension surfaces and said inside surface of said hollow shaft, saidgap communicating with said exit port for transporting coolant from saidpassage over the outside of said receptacle portion and said diodeassembly, each of said gaps defining substantially equal volumes forbalancing fluid flow and weight distribution of fluid flowingtherethrough.
 2. A rectifier assembly as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising:positive and negative connectors attached to said diodeassembly; a first end of said positive connector being coupled with apositive bus of said diode assembly: a second end of said positiveconnector defining a male plug component, said male component beingelectrically conductive; a positive female plug component on saidreceptacle portion for receiving said positive male component, saidfemale component being electrically conductive and coupled with saiddynamo electric device; a first end of said negative connector beingcoupled with a negative bus of said diode assembly; a second end of saidnegative connector defining a male plug component, said male componentbeing electrically conductive; and a negative female plug component onsaid receptacle portion for receiving said negative male component, saidfemale component being electrically conductive and coupled with saiddynamo electric device.
 3. A rectifier assembly for use with a dynamoelectric device, said dynamo electric device being of the type having arotor associated with a hollow shaft, said shaft having a central axisextending longitudinally therethrough, and means for circulating coolantoperatively associated with said dynamo electric device, said rectifierassembly being disposed in said hollow shaft, said rectifier assemblycomprising:a receptacle portion being retained inside said hollow shaft,said receptacle portion being electrically coupled to said dynamoelectric device; a diode assembly being disposed in said hollow shaftand matable with said receptacle portion for electrically coupling saiddiode assembly to said dynamo electric device for rectifying AC to DC;an entry port formed through one end of said diode assembly; an exitport formed through an end of said receptacle portion distal said entryport; a passage extending though said diode assembly and said receptacleportion, said passage communicating with said entry port and said exitport, said means for circulating coolant communicating with said entryport for providing coolant to said diode assembly and said receptacleportion; at least two reduced dimension surfaces being defined onoutside surfaces of said diode assembly and said receptacle portionhaving a dimension which is less than an inside surface of said hollowshaft, said reduced dimension surfaces being generally equidistantlyspaced apart on said outside surfaces of said diode assembly andreceptacle portion; and a gap being defined between each of said reduceddimension surfaces and said inside surface of said hollow shaft, saidgap communicating with said exit port for transporting coolant from saidpassage over the outside of said receptacle portion and said diodeassembly, each of said gaps defining substantially equal volumes forbalancing fluid flow and weight distribution of fluid flowingtherethrough.
 4. A rectifier assembly as recited in claim 3, furthercomprising:positive and negative connectors attached to said diodeassembly; a first end of said positive connector being coupled with apositive bus of said diode assembly: a second end of said positiveconnector defining a male plug component, said male component beingelectrically conductive; a positive female plug component on saidreceptacle portion for receiving said positive male component, saidfemale component being electrically conductive and coupled with saiddynamo electric device; a first end of said negative connector beingcoupled with a negative bus of said diode assembly; a second end of saidnegative connector defining a male plug component, said male componentbeing electrically conductive; and a negative female plug component onsaid receptacle portion for receiving said negative male component, saidfemale component being electrically conductive and coupled with saiddynamo electric device.